Senior Management

A proven leader and project manager, Michael leads a best-in-class team of senior environmental professionals at YORK. Before joining YORK, Mr. Beckerich held senior communications positions at pharmaceutical giants Johnson & Johnson, Warner Lambert and Amgen, where he was responsible for crisis management at the highest level and also served as a media spokesperson. In addition, Michael provided counsel to numerous senior level executives and world renowned medical experts on policy issues at public hearings in Washington D.C.

After leaving the corporate side of the biopharma industry, Mr. Beckerich was tasked with the opening of a NYC office and oversight of San Francisco operations for an 80-year-old independent public relations firm headquartered in Philadelphia.

While also captain of the Big East baseball team, he earned a B.A. in political science from Villanova University in 1995.

Benjamin GuliziaLaboratory Director

Ben is a versatile and well-experienced industry veteran who has played a significant role at a number of successful laboratories including TestAmerica, Environmental Testing and Certification Corporation, HydroLogic, and Enseco.

As YORK’s Laboratory Director, Ben is responsible for all day-to-day laboratory activities, including data generation, staff management and training, reporting and quality oversight.

Ben joined YORK in 2013 after nine years as Laboratory Director at TestAmerica Savannah, one of the largest commercial environmental sample facilities in the U.S.

Ben graduated from Georgetown College with a B.S. in Biology.

A fan of classic rock, Ben plugs in his electric guitar at home whenever he gets the opportunity.

Since YORK’s inception, Bob has been the driving force behind the strong and steady growth and is one of the foremost analytical sample analyses experts in the Northeast. Bob designed the entire framework of the laboratories and has built a staff and operations that is the cornerstone of YORK’s reputation.

With more than 30 years of laboratory management and hands-on experience, Bob has the ability to perform and train staff on all aspects of the laboratory operations and business. Among other key areas, he is an expert in the evaluation, selection and cost control of analytical procedures developed and used in the laboratory, and the establishment and maintenance of quality control and quality assurance programs for analytical methods.

Bob graduated from Georgetown University with both a B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry. He and his wife Kris are the “all-time Georgetown Hoyas married couple fans.”

Bob is also an accomplished trumpet and bugle player and actively participates in the Bridgeport Park City Pride and the Connecticut Hurricanes Drum & Bugle Corps.

Jon WalshSenior Technical Director

Jon has extensive experience in custom database development and custom client data interfacing and reporting. Jon has over 30+ years of lab experience as a technical and operational manager, as well as on the bench. In the last two decades, he has specialized in LIMS administration and development. Jon has also engineered and patented air analysis methodology and hardware systems. His presence in YORK’s Queens Laboratory is important as YORK grows its Emerging Contaminants and Air Laboratories.

Jon is a 1983 graduate of Syracuse University with his degree in Chemistry.

Outside of the lab, Jon finds most of his spare time spent on his pursuit of mastering the art of sailing.

Finance & Accounting

Overseeing all financial operations, Kevin is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in financial planning, reporting, and analysis. His background includes positions of increasing responsibilities in both publicly and privately held companies and ranges from work in the healthcare industry to venture-backed technology start-ups.

A resident of Pearl River, NY, Kevin holds a B.B.A. in Finance from Iona College where he graduated magna cum laude.

In addition to being an avid NY Ranger fan, Kevin is a history buff and enjoys spending his time outside the office with a good read in hand.

William T. WatsonAccounting

Bill handles all of YORK’s accounts receivables, accounts payable, payroll, and a cache of other accounting activities. He is in constant contact with billing departments of our clients and vendors to ensure invoices are being processed appropriately.

Bill brings a wide range of experiences from non-profit theater to international business consulting.

Bill is an avid race fan and fisherman. He volunteers for the Norwalk Seaport Association which maintains the Sheffield Island Lighthouse on Long Island Sound.

Client Services

Rich has an unprecedented level of experience that allows him to provide clients with meaningful and timely guidance related to planning, implementation and review of sample analysis projects.

With more than 25 years of experience, Rich began his career on the bench and progressed through a variety of key roles in managing the laboratory. His first-hand lab experience coupled with an intimate knowledge of the regulatory complexities surrounding sample analyses give him the breadth and depth to provide clients with answers they can always count on.

Rich is the first line of contact for any new pricing requests.

Rich graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a B.S. in Biology and has completed Master’s studies in environmental science from the University of New Haven.

Rich is an avid hockey fan, player and coach and “suits up” in a competitive men’s hockey league.

Patty Werner-ElsClient Services Director

Patty joined YORK in 2016 as a Client Services Director with a focus on New York City and Long Island. With more than 25 years in the environmental laboratory industry, Patty most recently served Chief Science Officer at a NYC-based water treatment company, and as President of a Long Island-based environmental laboratory, where she grew with increasing responsibilities from the bench to the front office.

Patty is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University.

A fanatic of live music, Patty is an avid concert goer, with her favorites ranging from Elton John in 1977 to Eric Church in 2019. She is an active volunteer at a woman’s shelter on Long Island.

Jill joined YORK as the laboratory’s new reporting team leader. Her experience in a similar role at one of the nation’s largest environmental laboratory chains provides Jill with a broad base of experience and technical skills to continue advancing YORK’s reporting/data transfer process.

Her “can-do” attitude has made Jill both a client favorite and an important client service team manager at the lab.

Jill graduated St. Joseph College with a B.S. in both Biology and Environmental Sciences.

Jill’s science background lends itself well to her interest and ability (yum) to create home brews that rival the best craft beers.

Lidya GuliziaClient Services Director

Lidya Gulizia joined YORK in 2013 after 10 years as a senior project leader with one of the country’s largest laboratory networks. Lidya also held senior responsibilities as Quality Assurance Officer at a prominent California-based analytical laboratory and as the Quality Assurance Manager at engineering pioneer Geraghty & Miller in NJ.

In addition, Lidya spent time as an independent Data Validation Specialist, as well as on the bench working as a GC analyst and Extractions chemist.

Kelly joined the YORK Client Services team in 2018. She comes to YORK with several years of experience in the lab as a technician performing volatile, semi-volatile, and metals extractions. She also held a position as a GC analyst in the volatile and semi-volatile departments. Her lab background enables her to assist clients with some of their more technical questions regarding different analyses.

Kelly attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she studied Chemistry.

In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, cycling, and is also an avid Carolina Panthers fan.

Kristen SimonisClient Services Manager

Kristen joined YORK in 2020 to focus on the growing opportunities of soil management and waste characterization in New Jersey. She brings with her almost a decade of experience from two prominent labs in the Mid-Atlantic region. She started her career as a project manager assistant, then quickly moved into a project manager role while gaining reporting and laboratory knowledge to better assist her clients. Her professionalism, attention to detail, and proactive nature make her an asset to any project. Kristen’s degree is in Engineering Science from County College of Morris.

Kristen is often spotted cruising up the Parkway in her Jeep, with the top down, being outdoors, hiking or snowboarding. She volunteers in the community and takes her apiarists internship very seriously.

Dave joined YORK in 2013 and quickly became a go-to person for clients’ field personnel. His expertise in mobile communications and logistics operations grew YORK’s best-in-class courier service as he led the development of the software YORK uses to manage field operations. Clients now schedule sample pickup and bottle supply deliveries directly from the YORK home page. This software creates exciting opportunities for YORK’s constant focus on providing the highest level of client services. As Director of the Field Services Department, Dave is focused on perfecting client experience and achieving a seamless operation between clients in the field and the many moving parts of this growing laboratory. Contact Dave to discuss your ideas to customize or improve your client experience and make YORK your one stop shop for all of your environmental analytical needs.

Dave earned his B.S. as a graduate of Nyack College. He and his wife are parents of 4 children all under the age 5. They provide mentoring for college students, as well as counseling for young married couples, and young parents.

Dennis YoungClient Services – Field Services Manager

A New Jerseyan, Dennis is a Client Services Manager focused on local clients and is now leading a growing team in YORK’s Field Services Department. His 20 years of experience as a field operator and project manager with several of the industry’s respected consulting and engineering firms provides a unique resource to the YORK team. Dennis’ field sampling experience includes ground and surface water, soil, and sub-slab & indoor air.

For about 15 years, Donna was the primary voice of YORK, receiving every incoming phone call. The phone system, which now assists clients in getting to the right department automatically, can always be circumvented to reach Donna by dialing extension 800. At the center of activity in Connecticut, helping to disseminate and post reports, Donna is a mainstay for helping clients connect with the right people immediately here at YORK.

Donna loves to cook and is often sharing unique recipes. Ask her about The Apple Cake…or better yet, for a piece of the cake.

Shanna BonaparteClient Services Support

Shanna has over 20 years of administrative experience and applies her skills to lend a hand wherever needed. She joined YORK Client Services at the front office in Connecticut in 2008. At that time, her role was divided between generating reports and creating data packages. Three years later, as YORK grew and the demand for data package production increased, Shanna’s role in the front office became finely focused on data package production in 2011.

In her time off, Shanna enjoys time spent with her daughter, family, and friends. Shanna indulges her passion for reading and is subscribed to almost every book site out there.

Doug has worked in several environmental labs as a technician in extractions, metals, semi-volatiles, and volatiles, He has help oil field jobs as a mud logger and environmental inspector on oil and gas rigs in OH, PA, and WV. Doug moved to Connecticut and to YORK in 2012. He worked in the lab for three years before joining the Client Services Team.

Doug graduated from Cleveland State University with a B.S. in Environmental Chemistry in 2006 and a M.S. in Geomicrobiology in 2011. Growing up in Ohio, Doug was captain of the high school swim team, class of 2002.

Kristina BlockerClient Services Support

Tina has worked in the environmental business for over 15 years at various laboratories as a Sample Control Technician, PCB Analyst, Sample Control Supervisor, and Project Manager Assistant. Tina was part of a team of technicians who mobilized a temporary laboratory in Houma, LA during the BP-Deepwater Horizon oil spill (2010). Before joining the YORK Report Production Team in 2018, Tina worked in the YORK Sample Custody Department.

Tina has a love for all animals and she is a volunteer at her local animal shelter. When she isn’t working at the lab or volunteering, Tina is also a pert-time dog walker and sitter.

Sarah is engaged in all new regulations and quality standards. She coordinates laboratory accreditation activities and monitors and maintains YORK’s Quality Management System.

Sarah has over 15 years of experience in the environmental field, working in a variety of roles including report production, sample control, GC analysis, and as organic extractions manager. Sarah attended Southern Connecticut State University where she majored in chemistry and minored in mathematics.

Outside of the lab, Sarah is the music director at her church, a Justice of the Peace, and loves to garden.

Phil MurphyInorganics Manager

No one has become more synonymous with client service and YORK than Phil Murphy, who has been with the company since the lab was incorporated. Phil, Bob Bradley’s first hire -more than 20 years ago, has a remarkable sense of keeping in the moment as he manages active projects in real-time every day in the laboratory.

A Certified Laboratory Director, Phil is a senior voice with group leaders. Throughout each day, Phil ensures the lab adapts to the ever changing timelines and project requirements that often define success.

Phil has a B.S. in aquatic biology from the University of Connecticut and an M.S. in environmental biology from the University of Bridgeport.

As YORK’s long standing clients know, there is no greater Yankees or UConn fan than Phil Murphy. Certain clients have even been known to call Phil from the field looking for his take on the games.

Krzysztof, or simply Krys, moved to NYC from a prominent Albany area laboratory. A great addition to the YORK Queens team, Krys is at the forefront of YORK’s emerging contaminants laboratory. He has a broad experience and has worked in every aspect of the environmental laboratory ; from sample collection and analysis, to quality control, client services, and lab management.

Krys is a graduate of Rider University (2009) with a B.S. in Chemistry. Krys has embraced his new home in Queens and you may catch him enjoying the celebrated cuisine in Astoria.